Posts Tagged ‘Led Zeppelin’

Don’t be making budget plans for a tour anytime soon, Led Zeppelin fans.

In a very revealing interview with Rolling Stone, Zep frontman Robert Plant had a few choice words for those out there still hanging onto the hope of seeing the legendary rockers on stage together.

“I’m not part of a jukebox,” Plant told the magazine. “Do you know why the Eagles said they’d reunite when ‘hell freezes over,’ but they did it anyway and keep touring?” he asked. “It’s not because they were paid a fortune. It’s not about the money. It’s because they’re bored. I’m not bored.”

Guitarist Jimmy Page has the opposite opinion, stating that the last show they did at London’s O2 Arena in December of 2007 was a tease for fans. The band originally had a tour in the works around the time of the reunion show – until Plant walked away from the idea and the group.

“There’s bound to be fallout if you just do one show,” he said. “At the time of the O2 show we were led to believe there were going to be more. You’ll have to ask Robert why he changed his mind. I don’t even know if he considered it. I don’t know what he thinks.”

There still may be a stairway to heaven, however. Plant hasn’t completely closed the door on fronting the band, stating that they need a reason to go out on tour and not just for nostalgic purposes: “Everything has to be new. Then you can incorporate history.”

Of course, the other scenario at play is that Page, bassist John Paul Jones, along with Jason Bonham – find themselves a singer. In fact, the threesome were looking into a tour sans Plant, and Steven Tyler and Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy even admitted to rehearsing with the band, but it never materialized.

Oddly enough, Plant even stated that he supported the idea of a new frontman. “They kept rehearsing after O2 and they had a singer,” Plant said. “I don’t know what happened. It seemed like a great idea to me.”

Bands get back together for a myriad of reasons, with the main one being the lure of the almighty dollar.

Some reunions have been hits. Soundgarden reformed and released a well-received album and their accompanying tour was a hot seller, Alice in Chains soldiered on valiantly without late-frontman Layne Staley, and Van Halen’s recent North American jaunt with David Lee Roth back in the fold proved to be a commercial success (even though the album tanked).

With the news of Zeppelin possibly getting the Led out once again in 2014, here’s a short rundown of some the groups we think should get back together and the ones that should keep their gear packed away in storage.

Get back together now:

Rage Against the Machine

This is one of the greatest examples of a band who gave it all up at the height of their popularity. Why these guys aren’t back together is a head-scratcher. No one seems to know. Frontman Zach de la Rocha isn’t exactly busy these days and the rest of the band members are all for a reunion.

Reunion probability: 7/10

The Smiths

They’ve been offered millions to play various festivals, but for guitarist Johnny Marr and frontman Morrissey, it’s all about keeping the cult favourites’ legacy in tact. Oh, and the nasty lawsuits brought on by the other two guys. “I would rather eat my own testicles than reform The Smiths, and that’s saying something for a vegetarian,” Morrissey once said.

Moving on….

Reunion probability: 0/10

Oasis

They haven’t had a great album in over a decade, but the high entertainment value of brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher battling it out while on tour is immeasurable. Mom almost had them back together last Christmas, so we think the odds are high that we’ll see them back again, most likely with a hockey referee.

Reunion probability: 7/10

Guns ‘N Roses (original lineup)

We don’t think there’s a rock fan in the world that wouldn’t want to see Axl Rose, Slash, Duff McKagan, Izzy Stradlin and Matt Sorum back in the studio and back on stage together. But if the fightin’ fivesome couldn’t make an appearance for their Rock Hall induction, the chances of anything else happening is remote. Jack Daniels could possibly help.

Reunion probability: 1/10

Talking Heads

The band reunited on stage for the first time in 18 years for a one-off, three-song gig at the 2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and they sounded as tight as ever. There’s no reason why the quartet wouldn’t translate into the studio as well, if they would ever kiss and make up.

Reunion probability: 3/10

Please stay away:

The Police

Ex Sex Pistols leader John Lydon’s infamous “Do you ever feel like you’ve been cheated?” line resonated with us while they belted out a lacklustre set at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto back in 2007. They were listless, uninspiring and devoid of any passion. The kicker was Sting having his handler serve him hot tea during the show. How rock n’ roll.

Reunion probability: 5/10

Spice Girls

The fascination over the British girl group still confounds us. Rumours of their inevitable reunion spring up on a weekly basis, with the main holdout being Victoria Beckham due to her popular fashion line. Let’s hope that particular endeavour continues to be a success.

Reunion probability: 8/10

INXS

Talk about feasting off of the dead. The Aussie group, who were at one time one of the biggest bands in the world, tried to re-attain that status in the tackiest of ways by doing a reality show called “Rock Star: INXS” in a feeble attempt to replace their deceased frontman Michael Hutchence. What they ended up with was Canuck singer J.D. Fortune, who has been a sideshow himself. At least Michael isn’t around to witness their legacy slowly implode.

Reunion probability: 9/10

The Rolling Stones

They’ve never officially broken up, so this technically shouldn’t count, but having to endure Mick Jagger pounce around the stage like a geriatric buffoon leaves us with the willies. Yes, they make a lot of money on tours that fans inexplicably pay top dollar for, but that’s no reason to continuously embarrass themselves every five years.

Reunion probability: 10/10

The Eagles

No one deserves this. Especially your pocketbook.

Reunion probability: 7/10

What are some acts that you’d like to either see get back at it, or leave it well enough alone? Leave a comment below!

Could we see Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones getting the Led out in 2014?

In an interview with Australia’s version of “60 Minutes,” Plant hinted as much, saying he has no plans in 2014, and at the same time, shot down the popular notion that he is the one that’s holding up a possible Led Zeppelin reunion.

“[Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones] are Capricorns. They don’t say a word. They’re quite contained in their own worlds and they leave it to me,” said Plant. “I’m not the bad guy . . . You need to see the Capricorns – I’ve got nothing to do in 2014.”

The band originally split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham, but last played together at a one-off tribute show for the founder of their record label at London’s O2 Arena on December 10, 2007. Bonham’s son Jason took the place of his late father behind the kit.

Legendary Australian hard rockers AC/DC have finally released their entire catalogue, including 20 studio and live albums and three compilations, in Apple’s iTunes store.

“AC/DC’s thunderous and primal rock and roll has excited fans for generations with their raw and rebellious brand of music, which also resonates with millions of new fans discovering AC/DC everyday,” Columbia Records and Apple, said in a statement announcing the deal.

“Their growing legion of fans will now experience the intensity of AC/DC’s music in a way that has never been heard before,” they added.

They join artists such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Metallica to finally relent and make their individual songs available for purchase. For years, AC/DC had shunned the digital mega-store in order to preserve the album format.

There was no reason why they’ve now relented, although I have a brilliant theory – tons of cash.

Garth Brooks and Tool are some of the bigger names that are still holding out.

Our Contributors

National music writer Darryl Sterdan is old enough to know better. He lives mostly in his head but also on his couch in Winnipeg, where he listens to music, thinks about music, writes about music and obsesses over music 24/7/365. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But he really will have to get that couch cleaned one of these days.

Jane has been a Sun reporter since 1995. Before coming to the Sun, was music, film, TV, theatre, news reporter/editor at Canadian Press Toronto from 1991-95; News/entertainment radio/print reporter at Broadcast News/Canadian Press Vancouver from 1989-91; TV reporter and entertainment anchor for CKVU in Vancouver, 1988; News reporter/news reader/at CJOR Radio in Vancouver, 1984-88. Briefly went to film school in London, England, in 1984.